TV News

Having already created two critically-acclaimed series for HBO (Eastbound & Down, Vice Principals), Danny McBride and Jody Hill have now developed a third series for the network, and details regarding it have finally surfaced. It’s called The Righteous Gemstones, and McBride will write, executive produce, star and direct in the pilot opposite John Goodman.

The show has not yet been picked up for a full series, but if so it will chronicle the life of a famous televangelist family “with a long tradition of deviance, greed and charitable work, all in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ”.

Per THR, Goodman will play Eli Gemstone, the family patriarch, “a force in the ministry game known for his aggressive salvation techniques, global ministries, and award-winning weekly television program”. McBride will play his oldest son Jesse, heir to the throne but determined to forge his own path, attempting to expand upon the legacy Eli built.

Hill, a co-creator, executive producer, director and writer of Eastbound & Down, will also act as executive producer of this show, while frequent collaborator David Gordon Green will do so as well. Expect Hill and Green to direct episodes of the show too, as along with McBride, they have formed a tight-knit working relationship over the years.

That’s of course if HBO picks up the show for a full series. If they do, scheduling could be somewhat of an issue considering that Goodman will be starring in the Roseanne spinoff, The Conners, which will debut this autumn, but it’s likely they can work around that.

The premise sounds ripe for comedy and with McBride and co. the driving forces behind the show, it’s probably a pretty good bet that we’ll be seeing a full series of The Righteous Gemstones in the near future. HBO currently doesn’t have an airdate for the pilot.